The Kia Ora hotel is the most expensive around these parts (which means a LOT of cake) and is NOT Yacht friendly. I don't blame them I guess, but after spending an obscene amount of money on a massage and lunch, I thought that I had earned an evening of peace at their beach bar away from the boat at least. I put on my best clean clothes and wandered in to watch their tourist display of "traditional" dancing. I was met at the dock by a surly security guard and escorted to reception. There was a cover charge for non guests. OK - that makes sense. After some wrangling, they allowed me in. As I was walking away, I was asked where my shoes were. Ooops. I guess nighttime rules are different than the daytime. I said that they were in the dingy (they weren't) and that I would get them. Went to the bar and ordered a fancy cocktail. 15 minutes later the bar got a call and the bartender looked at me like I had 9 heads. 5 minutes later he got another call and he looked at me again and said that reception wants to know if I had put on shoes. The gig was up. I said that they were on the boat, he said that he would have to go and get them for me. I explained that they were on "la grand bateau" and that I wouldn't take the dingy out in the pitch dark again. Another call. I was requested to leave. Hmmm. I only had a Visa card. The bar then explained that because my $16 US drink was under the minimum that I would not be able to pay with my card. I looked at him like he had nine heads and asked him what he would like to do about this situation. I had to be escorted to reception again (Oh the embarrassment) so that they could process my pitiful bill and ridicule me properly.
As it turned out, I swallowed my pride and went back again a few days later. Same clothes, but with shoes. Reported smartly to pay my cover and brought plenty of cash for the insanely priced fare. Everyone was a little bit more friendly this time and I had an enjoyable night writing out postcards and seeing a talented (although cheesy) dance troop doing their thing. Live and learn I guess.
The Kia Ora hotel is the most expensive around these parts (which means a LOT of cake) and is NOT Yacht friendly. I don't blame them I guess, but after spending an obscene amount of money on a massage and lunch, I thought that I had earned an evening of peace at their beach bar away from the boat at least. I put on my best clean clothes and wandered in to watch their tourist display of "traditional" dancing. I was met at the dock by a surly security guard and escorted to reception. There was a cover charge for non guests. OK - that makes sense. After some wrangling, they allowed me in. As I was walking away, I was asked where my shoes were. Ooops. I guess nighttime rules are different than the daytime. I said that they were in the dingy (they weren't) and that I would get them. Went to the bar and ordered a fancy cocktail. 15 minutes later the bar got a call and the bartender looked at me like I had 9 heads. 5 minutes later he got another call and he looked at me again and said that reception wants to know if I had put on shoes. The gig was up. I said that they were on the boat, he said that he would have to go and get them for me. I explained that they were on "la grand bateau" and that I wouldn't take the dingy out in the pitch dark again. Another call. I was requested to leave. Hmmm. I only had a Visa card. The bar then explained that because my $16 US drink was under the minimum that I would not be able to pay with my card. I looked at him like he had nine heads and asked him what he would like to do about this situation. I had to be escorted to reception again (Oh the embarrassment) so that they could process my pitiful bill and ridicule me properly.
As it turned out, I swallowed my pride and went back again a few days later. Same clothes, but with shoes. Reported smartly to pay my cover and brought plenty of cash for the insanely priced fare. Everyone was a little bit more friendly this time and I had an enjoyable night writing out postcards and seeing a talented (although cheesy) dance troop doing their thing. Live and learn I guess.
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